Warp stop mechanism



Sept. 19, 1950 E. A. MASTRIANI WARP STOP uscnmxsu Filed May 10, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l q NH INVENTOR.

ELV/NA-MASTR/AN/ ATTO FINE) Sept; 19, 1950 E. A. MASTRIANI WARP STOP MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed ma 10, 1947 n rer u n v 3 fiflmw lll lull I INVENTOR. ELVIN' A. MASTHIAN/ ATTOH N EY Patented Sept. 19, 1950 WARP STOP MECHANISM Elvin A. Mastriani, Newark, N. 3., assignor to The M. W. Kellogg Company, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of Delaware Application May 10, 1947, Serial No. 747,245

Claims.

The present invention relates to looms, and more particularly to electric warp stop mechanisms therefor.

The conventional type of electric warp stop mechanism comprises a detector device in the form of parallel detector rods, each including a pair of contact bars insulated from each other and passing through a row of drop wires supported on respective warp threads. Each Of these drop wires is adapted to fall and electrically intercormect the contact bars when the corresponding warp thread breaks. A knock off or loom stopping device controlled by the detector device comprises a solenoid in the direct circuit of said detector device energized by the release of a drop wire occasioned by the breakage of the corresponding warp thread. The energized solenoid through its plunger actuates a member into position to be engaged by the lay during its movement, and this initiates knock-off action of the loom.

The standard practice is to use a solenoid requiring low current in order to minimize arcing or sparking between the fallen drop wires and the corresponding contact bars. The solenoid will therefore be of low power, and as a, result, will be of delicate construction requiring careful setting and adjustment.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electric warp stop mechanism.

As a feature of the present invention, to reduce sparking or arcing to a negligible minimum and to permit, at the same time, the use of a solenoid having a high current coil, there is incorporated in the circuit of the solenoid a relay switch operated by a low current relay coil in the circuit of the detector device. This permits the use of a sturdy solenoid which does not require delicate setting or adjustment.

As another feature, the knock-01f device is constructed to allow its assembly or removal as a compact self-contained unit.

As another feature, the force required to actuate the knock-01f device is imparted by one of the swords rather than by the lay, as in conventional constructions, thereby reducing transmission of bending moments to the lay.

As a further feature, the knock-off device is automatically reset by spring action to normal operating position after initiation of knock-off operation.

As another feature, a knock-off finger forming part of the knock-off device is moved into the path of movement of the lay by the solenoid and a non-positive connection between said solenoid and said finger. The non-positive character of this connection prevents jamming of the solenoid plunger.

As a further feature, the knock-off finger is connected to a rocker shaft which is supported by bearings mounted on a single base, and disposed on opposite sides of the finger, so that bending of the shaft or knock-off finger when operating, is minimized. The knock-off finger is splined to the shaft, so that it is able to slide laterally on the shaft, and yet turns the shaft when said finger is actuated by lay movement.

As another feature, the electric warp stop mechanism is constructed so that the shipper handle may be operated for normal shut-downs without being afiected in any way by the knockoff mechanism.

As a further feature, the detector bar assembly is comparatively simple in construction, and affords vertical and angular adjustments with ease.

As another feature, a new and improved detector bar clamp is provided, locked by a cam lock affording ease of operation into and out of locking position.

As another feature, spacer bars for supporting the warp sheet and for separating the various rows or banks of drop wires, are provided secured by means of spring clips, so that these bars may be removed or replaced singly Without disturbing the warp.

As another feature, electrical contact to the contact detector bars is established by means of spring clips, each of which engages two adjoining bars.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a broken fragmentary perspective partly in section of a loom containing an electric warp stop mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a broken plan view partly in horizontal section of the knock-off mechanism embodying the present invention, and shown during normal running operations of the loom;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but showing the knock-off mechanism at the instant it is operated, to shut down the loom upon detection of a broken warp thread;

Fig. 4 is a rear View of the contact bar supporting end of the detector device;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary bottom section Of the 3 contact bar supporting end of the detector device;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the contact bar supporting end of the detector device taken along the lines 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a transverse section of the contact bar supporting end of the detector device taken along the lines 1-'l of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram of the electric system of the warp stop mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the novel mechanisms of the invention may be applied to looms having any of the usual loom sides, but it is preferred to disclose the invention in connection with a loom provided with loomsides H), the right loomside only being shown, each comprising a pair of parallel upstanding frame webs II and 12 rigidly secured together by suitable cross braces, (not shown). A lay l3 secured to swords 14 (only one being shown) is oscillated back and forth lengthwise of the loom. The swords M are angularly oscillated in any suitable manner in the spaces between the frame webs of corresponding loomsides.

The. warp stop mechanism includes a detector device l mounted at each end to a bracket 26 supported on a plate ll extending between and secured to frame webs H and [2, as for example, by welding. The detector device [5 comprises a series of parallel detectors 18 of the usual type, each comprising a pair of contact bars 26 and 2| insulated from each other. Drop wires 22 of the conventional type are arranged along each detector [8. The threads constituting the warp of the fabric pass through the drop'wires 22- forwardl toward the lay [3. Each of the threads supports an individual drop wire 22 out of contact with the contact bar 20. When a warpthread breaks, its wire 22 will fall into contact with the bar 20 and close the circuit between the bars 26 and?! I. This initiatesthe operation of the knockoff mechanism.

The knock-0d mechanism is supported as a unit ina housing 25 comprising a top wall 2-6, an outer sid wall 27, and a frontwall 28. The housing 25 is rigidly supported in position between the loomside frame webs H and ii. To that end, a platform 34 is supported on and extends between the upper ends of the loomside frame webs H" and-l2, and isprovided with holes 32 (only one being shown) for receiving mounting studs for the housing 25. The top housing wall 26 has a plurality of threaded stud sleeves 33' located to register with respective holes in the platform 3|, and welded or otherwise rigidly secured to said top housing wall. By means of studs (not shown) passing through respective platform holes 32 and threaded into the sleeves 33, mounting of the housing 25 in position and removal thereof can be easily effected.

Secured to the outer housing wall 27, as for example, b studs (not shown), is a solenoid 35 having a plunger 36 movable in and out as the solenoid coil is energized and deenergized. Extending in the housing 25 in an axial direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the solenoid plunger 36 is a rocker shaft 31 supported in bearings 40 and 4| mounted on said housing. One of the bearings 46 in the form of a block is desirably welded to the housing walls 21 and 28, while the other bearing 4! also in the form of a block, is desirabl welded to the top housing wall 252. A collar '42 affixed to the rocker shaft 31 limits outward slid movement of said shaft.

Splined to the rocker shaft 31 so as to rotate therewith and slide therealong is a knock-off finger or lever 43 urged outwardly along said shaft by a coil spring 44, which is located between the bearing 4! and the hub of the knock-off finger 43.

A link transmission between the solenoid plunger 36 and the knock-off finger 43 comprises a lever yoke 45 having at one end a cleft 46 pivoted to one end of a link 41, whose other end is pivoted to said plunger. The other end of the yoke 45 has a fork 43 straddling the rocker shaft 31 between the hub of the knock-off finger 43 and a spacer washer 55 bearing against the shaft collar 42. The yoke45 is pivoted intermediat its ends to a post 5!, rigidly secured to the housing 25 desirably by welding it to the top housing wall 25. A stud 52 threaded into th post 5| pivotally secures the yoke 45 to said post.

For actuating the knock-01f finger 43 by the movement of the lay I3, there is secured directly to one side of the sword l4 a knock-off bunter 55. The sword I4 is shown of channel shape, and the bunter 55 is provided with a recess 55 to receive one of the flanges of the sword and. is secured to the sword web, as for example, by means of studs 51.

While the solenoid 35 is deenergized, the lever yoke 45 is in the angular position. shown in Fig. 2, so that the knock-off finger 43 is yieldabl'y held by the coil spring 44 in position out of the oscillating path of movement of the hunter 55. Upon the energization of the solenoid 35 resulting from the breakage of a Warp thread, the plunger 36 will be moved inwardly into the position shown in Fig. 3, so that the lever yoke 45 will be rotated clockwise about its pivot stud 52. This will cause the knock-off finger 43 to be moved along the rocker shaft 31 against the action of the coil spring 44, until it is in the path of oscillating movement of the knock-off bunter 55 As the lay l3 moves rearwardly, the bunter 55 engaging the knock-off finger 43 in this position rotates said finger, and thereby causes a corresponding rotation of the rocker shaft 37. This rotation of the rocker shaft 3'! is transmittedto the shipper handle (not shown), to shut down the loom. The shut-down is desirably effected without shutting down the motor by merel releasing or disengaging the clutch between the motor and the main crank shaft of the loom.

The transmission between the rocker shaft 37 and the shipper handle is of a non-positive character, and comprises a push rodknock-off lever 66, which is keyed to the part of the rocker shaft 31 projecting from the outer side of the housing 25, and which has a forked end Bl straddling a push rod 62 supported for slide movement in a pair of slide bearings 63 secured to the outer frame web l2. A return spring 65 encircles the push rod 62, and abuts at one end against one of the bearings 63, and bears at the other end against a collar 53, fixed to push rod 62, to urge the forked lever end 6! toward the other bearing 63.

In axial alignment with the push rod 62, and connected to the shipper handle (not shown), is a clutch release rod 61. The rod 67 is provided with a tappet sleeve 68, confronting the operating end of the push rod 62, and adapted to be engaged thereby when the push rod is moved to the left by the rotation of shaft 37 and lever 60, due to the engagement of knock-off finger 43'and knock-off bunter55, as shown in:Fi'g. 3.

The clutch release rod 67 carries a finger 16 which engages the spring. pressed plunger H of the switch element Bil in the dotted the switch Iii during normal running operations to maintain the switch normally closed. The finger ll! disengages the plunger H to open the switch 12 when the rod 61 moves to the left for clutch release and loom shut-down operations initiated when the warp thread breaks and the corresponding drop wire 22 falls into position to establish contact between the bars 28 and 2!. When switch l2 is in the open position, current cannot flow through the circuits of the warp stop mechanism and all hazards due to live circuits while the loom is stopped are eliminated.

The electrical arrangements for the warp stop mechanisms are shown in Fig. 8, and while they may be connected to a separate power supply, are conveniently connected to the power lines 8t, provided as a current supply for the loom motor, not shown. A step down transformer Si is connected across lines ti? to step the voltage down from the usual 220 volts to about 8 volts. The lines 82 are connected across the secondary coil of the transformer Eli and supply current to the solenoid 35. Since, as will be apparent, the current for the solenoid does not go through the warp break detector circuit, the solenoid may be as large, and as powerful, as necessary for the positive operation of its associated elements and as much current as required by the solenoid may be safely passed through lines 32 as such current does not feed thru the detector circuit.

The lower one of the lines 82 is connected to the terminal A or" the relay switch 233, while a short line 82' connects the terminal A to the solenoid 35 to complete the solenoid circuit. The

relay switch 83 is of usual design and includes a relay coil. 84%, that when energized, operates through a plunger to move the switch element 85 from the normal full line position to the dotted line position, wherein it electrically connect the terminal A to the terminal A and the terminal B to the terminal B. A spring not shown, returns the switch element 85 to the full line position when the relay coil tit is deenergized. A short lead connects the terminal A to the terminal 13, while a second short lead connects the terminal B to the relay coil terminal D. A second pair of lines 855, are connected across the secondary coil of the transformer 8!. The upper one of lines 85 is connected to one terminal of the switch '52, shown in its closed position, and a short lead 86 connects the other terminal of the switch '52 to the terminal C of the relay coil 8 The lower one of the lines 8+3 is connected to the parallel bank of contact bars 2 l, the bank of bars 2% being grounded as shown, while a short lead 86" connects the parallel bank of contact bars 29 to the terminal D of the relay coil' Since the relay coil is designed to actuate switch element 85 and its associated plunger, its current demand is quite low so that only a comparatively low current will flow through the warp break detector circuit. The bank of bars 2! is grounded to prevent an accumulation of current in the normal open circuit operation of the detector circuit.

Upon the breaking of a warp thread, the respective drop wire 22 will fall to close the gap between its pair of bars 28 and 2!, so that current will flow through lines 88, 8E and 86 to energize the relay coil BA and move the switch element 85 to the dotted line position. This closes the circuit of the solenoid 35, so that solenoid 35 through its associated elements will move the knockpn finger 3 3 along shaft 3? into position to be engaged by knock-oil bunter 55. Since line position closes the gap between the terminals B and B, the terminal D is brought to substantially the same potential as the side of the secondary transformer coil to which the lower one of the lines 86 is connected and, consequently, the relay coil 84 will be energized by current flowing through the lower one of lines 82 and the leads between the terminals A and B and B and D, while the lower one of the lines Bit and the banks of bars 2i] and El will be effectively cut out of the electrical circuits. This results in an uninterrupted energization of the relay coil 8% and the solenoid 35, which cannot be influenced by the movements of the drop wire 22 on its bars 28 and 2i during the interval between the initiation of knock-off operations and the completion thereof when the hunter 55 by engagement with the knock-off finger 43 rotates the shaft 31 and the lever to move the clutch release rod 8? to the left to disengage the clutch between the motor and the main drive shaft (not shown) and simultaneously to open the switch E2 to the dotted line position.

When the switch '52 is open (the dotted line position) the relay coil 84 and the solenoid 35 are deenergized and no current whatsoever can flow through any of the circuits just described. Said interval may, according to the speed of the loom, amount to as much as one-half a second and in the arrangements of the prior art the hazards due to arcing and sparking because of movement of the drop wire 22 on the live bars 20 and 2| during this interval is of a serious nature. All such hazards are eliminated in the present construction as arcing and sparking cannot take place since the bars are dead. Also, since switch it remains open during the thread repair period, or any other period when the clutch disengages the loom motor from the main drive shaft, all hazards due to live electrical circuits during loom down time are eliminated.

After the warp thread is repaired and the drop wire 22 is returned to its normal position the clutch is again actuated to engage the loom motor to the main drive shaft and the clutch release rod Bl moves to the right so that the finger Hi again closes the switch 12. As the lay 14 moves away from knock-01f position, springs M and will return the parts of the knockoff mechanism automatically to their normal operating positions. This may take place as the lay is coming to rest after knock-01f or when the lay is again started, depending on the timing and the setting of the loom brake according to the weaving conditions.

While'the electrical circuits have been described above in connection with an A. C. power source, it is obvious that they are not limited to the use of an A. C. source, but with simple changes, well within the knowledge of the skilled worker in the yard, they can be used equally well with a D. C. current source.

The detector device I5 is mounted for horizontal and vertical adjustment. The bracket I6 has a base seated on the plate I! and adjustably secured thereto by means of a bolt (not shown), passing through said base and through an elongated slot Si in said plate, which permits adjustment of the detector device along the plate I'I.

For vertical adjustment, the bracket it has a vertically elongated slot 93 receiving a locking bolt 94 passing through a boss 95 at one end of a detector bar holder 96.

The detector bar holder fit is of U-shaped cross-se t o and c mp ses ahas 9 h in a series of parallel grooves 98 for receiving the lower edges of the detector rods [8, and a pair of upstanding ears at each end.

For clamping the detector rods IS in position, and for transmitting current thereto, there is provided at each end of the detector device a bar clamp NH. The bar clamp extends between the ears Inn of the holder 96, and is pivoted thereto by means of pivot studs I02,

Secured to the underside of the bar clamp I0! is a conductor strip [84 provided with a terminal 105 for attachment of a conductor wire thereto, and insulated from said bar clamp by an insulating pad [0 6. Fastened to the underside of the bar clamp NH, and in conductive contact with the conductor strip [04, is a series of contact springs Ill! shown in the form of bowed leaf springs secured to said clamp by screws [08, and eachyieldably bearing against the upper edges of two adjoining contact bars 20.

For releasably locking the bar clamp IJJI in ,position, there is provided a handle H5 having a cam i I6 at one end bearing against a Wear washer H4 on said bar clamp. The cam l I6 is of forked construction, and has pivoted thereto the upper end of a bolt ill passing through a hole H8 in the bar clamp IUI, and extending into a hole I in the bar holder 96. The lower end of the bolt H! has an elongated key IZl, and the hole 120 has a keyhole conformation corresponding to the shape of said key Hi.

When the bolt I i1 is locked in position against axial withdrawal, the handle H5 may be turned about its pivot support with said bolt to cam the bar clamp [0| down tightly, the clamping pressure depending upon the angular position of said handle. When it is desired to lift the bar clamp l0] about its pivot supports for adjust- .ment or repair of the detector rods ill, the handle H5 is turned to rotate the bolt I I1 until its key 121 is in registry with the ,key hole 1.20. The bolt H1 can then be lifted out of the bar holder 96.

For supporting the warp sheet, there are secured to opposite sides of the bar holder 96 guide ,bars I25. Additional members 125 between the guide bars I ,are provided for further support- ,ingthe sheet, and for separating the various rows or banks of drop wires '22. These additional members are shown in the form of spacer .bars removably retained in spring clips [2] and 128 secured to the underside of the bar holder ,96.

The end clips I21 are shown in angular ,form secured in position by respective studs 138, :while :the intermediate slips i2}; are U-shaped to engage adjoining spacer tbars [2 6, and are secured in position by respective studs 1 passing through the base sectionsof respective clips.

While the invention has -been dcscribed with particular reference to a specific embodiment, it

is to be understood that it is not to :be limited thereto, but is to be construed broadlyand re- .stricted solely by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. vIn aloom having a lay, andswords for said lay, an electric detector device operable automatically when a warp threadbreaks-for creating a detecting signal, and a knock-off device, comprising a bunter carried by one of said swords, a lever supported for movement along an axis and angularly about said axis, means normally urging said lever axially out of the path of ,,mo,veme n t of said bunter While the loom is running, means responsive to said detecting signal for moving said lever axially into the path of movement of said bunter to cause said lever to be actuated angularly about said axis, and means responsive to the angular movement of said lever for shutting down the loom.

2. In a loom having a lay and a bunter movable with said lay, a knock-off device for a warp stop mechanism, comprising a rocker shaft, a lever mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith and slidable therealong, means normally urging said lever along said shaft and out of the path of movement of said bunter during running operations of said loom, means for moving said lever along said shaft and in the path of said bunter upon breakage of a warp thread to cause said lever to turn and said shaft thereby to rotate from normal position, and means responsive to the rotation of said shaft from said normal posi- 7 tion for initiating the shut-down of the loom.

3. In a loom, a knock-off device as described in claim 2, in which said shut-down initiating means comprises a push rod supported for endWise movement, a lever connection between said rocker shaft and said push rod for moving said rod endwise from normal position when said shaft is rotated from normal position, and spring means for automatically returning said push rod and said shaft into said normal position after shutdown of the loom has been effected.

4. In a loom having a lay and a bunter movable with said lay, a knock-off device for a warp stop mechanism comprising a rocker shaft, a normally deenergized solenoid alongside of said shaft having a plunger movable substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft, a lever mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith and slidable therealong, spring means normally urging said lever along said shaft and out of the path of movement of said bunter during running operations of said loom, a connection between said plunger and said lever for moving said lever along said shaft and into the path of said bunter against the action of said spring means when said solenoid is energized, to cause said lever to turn and said shaft thereby to rotate from normal position, and

means responsive to the rotation of said shaft from said normal position for initiating the shutdown of the loom.

5. In a loom having a lay and a bunter movable with said lay, a knock-off device for a warp stop mechanism comprising a rocker shaft, spring means rotatively urging said rocker shaft in normal rotative position, a lever mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith and slidable therealong, spring means normally urging said lever along said shaft and out of the path of movement of said bunter during running operations of said loom, means for moving said lever along said shaft and into the path of said bunter against the action of said second-mentioned spring means upon breakage of warp thread, to cause said lever to turn and said shaft thereby to rotate from normal position against the action of said first-mentioned spring means, and means responsive to the rotation of said shaft from said normal position for initiating the shut-down of the loom.

6. In a loom, a knock-off device actuated in response to the breakage of a warp thread, comprising a solenoid energized upon the breaking of warp thread, a knock-off finger movable in and out of the path of movement of a bunter .carried by the lay, a connection between said solenoid and said finger for moving said finger into the Path of movement of said bunter upon energizaa tion of said solenoid, whereby said finger is actuated by said bunter, said finger being adapted to initiate shut-down of the loom when said finger is so actuated, a frame housing supporting said solenoid, said finger and said connection as a self-contained unit, and means for removably mounting said frame housing upon a loomside.

7. In a loom having a lay and a hunter movable with said lay, a knock-off device for a warp stop mechanism comprising a rocker shaft, a pair of spaced bearings for said rocker shaft, a lever splined to said shaft between said bearing to rotate with said shaft and slide therealong, a spring on said shaft normally urging said lever along said shaft and out of the path of move' to turn and said shaft thereby to rotate from normal position, and means responsive to the rotation of said shaft from said normal position for initiating the shut-down of the loom.

8. In a loom, a knock-off device as described in claim 7, comprising a frame housing to which said bearings and said solenoid are mounted to form a self-contained unit, and means for removably mounting said frame housing upon a loomside.

9. A loom including a loomside having a pair of substantially parallel upstanding spaced webs, and a warp stop mechanism having a knock-off device comprising a rocker shaft, a knock-01f finger rotatable with and slidable therealong, a solenoid for moving said finger along said shaft, and a frame housing supporting said knock-01f device members as a self-contained unit, and means removably supporting said housing between said webs.

10. A warp stop mechanism for 9, loom, coniprising an electric circuit containing solenoid for initiating shut down of the loom when said solenoid is energized, a second electric circuit including a detector device for closing said second circuit upon breakage of Warp thread, and a relay operated switch including a switch element and a relay coil for actuating said element, said relay coil having both ends thereof connected in said second circuit with one end connected to said detector device, said relay coil being connected to said first circuit through said switch element when said switch element is in the closed circuit position, whereby when said detector device is closed, said relay coil is energized to move the switch element to the closed position to close the energizing circuit of said solenoid and to connect its other end to said first circuit, whereby said detector device is effectively cut out of the electrical circuit after initial energization of said relay coil.

ELVIN A. MASTRIANI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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